3 Most important skincare tips

Kristin Chessman is a freelance writer, editor and mom from Southern California with a passion for travel, fashion, Disney, the beach, Italian food and all-things celebrity. Follow Kristin on Twitter @KristinChessman.

Skin care essentials

Perfect skin: We all want it, but many of us don’t understand how to get it. With so many products from which to choose, caring for your skin can be a daunting and confusing undertaking. Here, skin care experts simplify the process by sharing their most important tips to help you properly care for your skin and get the smooth complexion you’ve always dreamed of.

3 tips for beautiful skin

Hydrate.

Quench the thirst of both your body and your skin. Natural skin care expert Rik Vig recommends making water your beverage of choice. "Most of us walk around in a state of dehydration without even knowing it, and beverages like sodas, coffee and alcohol only exacerbate the problem." To replenish precious moisture in your body and skin, Vig suggests keeping a water bottle by your side and filling it up with fresh drinking water throughout the day.

Hydration is also important for your exterior. "Hydrated skin looks younger," LA-based facialist and skin care expert Marc Edward says. "It's best to apply a hydrating serum that contains hylauronic acid, then, apply a hydrating cream to seal the serum under it. Since most hydrating products evaporate in two hours, it's necessary to apply both the serum and the cream two or more times per day."

Exfoliate.

Out with the old, in with the new! Think of exfoliation as the rebirth of your skin. "One of my most important skin care tips is to remove old skin cells to make the skin appear younger and smoother. In addition, exfoliation gives skin the ability to accept serums and creams more readily," Edward explains.

He discourages the use of a scrub for exfoliation, and instead recommends using a glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid gel or liquid. "Acids stimulate collagen and reduce pores as scrubs can't," Edward says.

But don't go overboard. Limit exfoliation to no more than two times per week. "Leave it on at night so it has up to eight hours to work on the skin's surface," Edward says.

Protect.

The second you step out the door, you expose your skin to harmful UV rays and pollutants. That's why it's important to give your skin its proper battle armor.

Irina Gordon, owner of Dyanna Body & Nail Spa, says one of her most important skin care tips is simple: Wear sunscreen. "The sun does so much damage to your skin. To properly care for your skin, buy a bottle of SPF 30 and wear it daily to save yourself from more costly procedures later in life."

Even better: Find a two-in-one moisturizer and sunscreen to help you fight the good fight. Elaine Greenberg, owner of Ageless Remedies, recommends looking for a moisturizer with vitamin C in it. "Vitamin C can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. Also, vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin."